breaking point PSA

[pocky_slash]

UGH, SHERLOCK FANDOM, STOP USING THE WORD "BROMANCE!" IT MAKES ME SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE IN ITS VAGUE HOMOPHOBIA!

I know the creators have used it, but we're better than them! That's why we're in fandom

Comments

[lefaym]

See, I'm a big fan of Eve Sedgewick, who argued, back in the 80s, that there were all these literary devices in place to prevent male homosocial relationships being portrayed as congruent to male homosexual relationships -- basically because het men didn't want to be seen as anything like those scary scary gay men. So, the way I see it, the rise of "bromance" as a popular concept is a positive thing, because it means that het men are becoming less and less threatened by the idea that their friendships could resemble m/m romance.

I have to admit, I don't use the term all that often myself, but I don't think that the rise of "bromance" is all that homophobic.

[pocky_slash]

I don't think it's outright homophobic, or that it's wrong to encourage homosocial male relationships in fandom or anything, but I think that the very particular way that the word has come into frequent use in American popular culture (and I don't know if it's different in Australia or elsewhere) has homophobic connotations. Most the the "bromance" movies that Hollywood has been producing are littered with gay jokes and gay scares, with two dudes leaning for a kiss and then realizing it and pulling away in disgust or, when called a couple, reacting with fear and then proving their masculinity. I feel like it sort of sends a message that says, "Yeah, it's okay to love another dude--as long as you're not gay, because that's still gross."

There are a lot of gay jokes in Sherlock, but I never feel like they go for that sort of cheap laugh. John and Sherlock never seem grossed out that people assume they're gay, just annoyed that people are continually making this incorrect assumption. They're comfortable enough with the possibility to

[lefaym]

Ah okay, I do see what you mean there - basically that there are a whole new set of narrative strategies being used to represent gay as 'icky' even when that homosexual/homosocial congruence is acknowledged.

[scrollgirl]

I hate hate HATE "bromance". HATE. Pretty much for the same reasons you do. The way it's used (by Hollywood, by some fans) to describe male/male relationships is pretty much, "They really, really love each other! But not like that." It draws an arbitrary line in the sand, where no line was really necessary, and uses this jokey word to point at the appearance of gay, only to reassure you that it's not really gay, don't worry, you're still safe in heterosexual waters. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

(I have to admit, I'm surprised at some of the comments you've gotten here.)

[pocky_slash]

Me too, but I wonder if people just haven't thought about the actual definition (such as it is, being a made up word and all) and connotations vs. the reality in Hollywood. Because, I mean, if someone said to me, "Let's encourage more close male friendships!" I would be like, "Right on, dude!" up until I saw that their idea of encouraging male friendships is one long gay joke D:

That's one of the things that I liked about the jokes about John and Sherlock being a couple in Sherlock. I know some people got annoyed with them, but I really appreciated that their reaction to it was never, "EW NO I'M NOT GAY GAY IS GROSS!" but rather mounting frustration that people were making these incorrect assumptions.

Also, Sam and Wiiiiiiilllllll! Oh man, I have some Iowa stories to finish.

[farewellojoys]

Reading your comments here, Kait, I totally understand your position. I wasn't really aware of the Hollywood connotations of 'bromance'. I was confused as to how it could be offensive, but I realized that I was going by the definition of it I have in my head -- "Dude I love you platonically like a brother, and that's awesome".

Clearly I don't watch enough newer movies!

I'm off to read that post you linked now!

[rose71]

here via mcwonthelottery

I came for the Torchwood bear crack (fabulous!), and stayed for the fascinating discussion of "bromance." I agree with you and scrollgirl 100%. The publicity for the "Sherlock Holmes" flick was the worst, with all those quotes about Jude Law and RDJ being "in love" with each other, but you know, not really, ha ha ha.

I know the creators have used it, but we're better than them! That's why we're in fandom!
This is INSPIRING. I have very mixed feelings about "Sherlock," and the writers' comments have tipped me over onto the negative side. But you're right. Let's be better than them! Writers are so often wrong about their own work anyway.

(By the way, I seem to have developed a habit of lurking in your fic list... I adored "Club Wales" without commenting, and now I'm partway through the sequel. Had to tear myself away to get to work. Yay friendship... between, er, people of any and all genders! *hearts*)